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DARIEN, Conn. – The Republican candidates for Darien’s Board of Education say they are ready to “hit the ground running” after this November’s election.

Christa Sheehan McNamara and David Martens launched their joint campaign for the school board earlier this week. Both are currently members of the Education Committee on Darien’s legislature, the Representative Town Meeting. Both won the Republican Town Committee’s nomination to take that experience to the Board of Education.

“We have worked with the Board, we understand the issues and the budget process, and are ready to hit the ground running,” the two said in a joint statement this week.

McNamara touts her own background in education, as she holds a master’s degree in elementary education. She is also a member of the Royle School PTO, with three children currently in the district.

McNamara says her background “enables me to provide a more critical look at issues presented involving both policy and curriculum.” She has also attended many of Darien’s recent board meetings to get a better handle on the current issues facing of the school system.

“I am there to hear the issues first hand-to show that I care and to be able to bring an educated perspective as a new board member,” McNamara said.

Marten’s background is more in business, which he says has helped him during the annual budget process as a member of the Education Committee. He says he plans to bring some business-oriented techniques to his work on the school board.

“Understanding that our current system has delivered excellent results overall is paramount in looking at future improvements,” Martens said. “I’d like to introduce some of the measurement techniques we use in the industry so that as various programs roll out, there are some concrete measures of success.”

The two say they believe they can fit in “seamlessly” to work with the existing members of the school board to address the issues surrounding special education and growing enrollment, while maintaining the town’s educational standards.

“We believe Darien is committed to providing the best education for all students. We have much about which to be proud,” McNamara and Martens said in their joint statement. “And we think we are the best people to take our schools into the future.”